Dem seeks diversity on Town Board

Democrat Lisa Sluberski will challenge two Republicans for a Town Board seat this fall. By COLLEEN M. FARRELL / cfarrell@mpnewspapers.com
Between the marching firefighters and crowds of residents straining for a view during last week’s Rush Firemen’s Parade, an unusual float passed by.
Rush resident David Sluberski, dressed as Uncle Sam, drove a tractor pulling his wife, Lisa, and area children through the town’s streets. A “Vote for Lisa Sluberski” sign adorned the homemade float.Click here for a video clip from the parade. (Quicktime required Macintosh | Windows)
“It (the parade) is the year’s highlight, every year,” Lisa Sluberski said.
This year’s parade was extra special for her family, as it marked the beginning of her campaign for a seat on Rush’s Town Board.
Lisa Sluberski, 43, has been endorsed by the Rush Democratic Committee. She is the only Democrat in the November race for two Town Board seats. The four-year term pays $6,235 a year.
Incumbent Don Knab was endorsed by the Republic committee and will run again. Republican Jerry Tallo was also endorsed and is running to fill Town Board member William Riepe’s seat. He isn’t seeking re-election.
A native of Pennsylvania, Lisa Sluberski has lived in Rush for 18 years. During that time, she has been a member of Rush United Methodist Church, held various titles in Cub Scout Pack 217 and has been on the Rush Fall Festival Committee.
She has also served on Leary Elementary’s PTA, Parents as Partners committee, Shared Decision Making and Parents as Partners committees, and has been chairwoman of several fund-raisers and activities at the school.
She also ran a day care in her home for five years. Now, she is a clerical worker at Rush-Henrietta’s Continuing Education Office.
“I like to be involved in my community,” she said.
The number of town residents who encouraged her involvement, along with a lack of political diversity on the board, prompted her to run, she said.
“People on it (Town Board) haven’t done a bad job, but it doesn’t hurt every once in awhile to throw a new person in there just to add a little outside opinion and just to add a little diversity,” Lisa Sluberski said.
She isn’t dissuaded by her lack of political experience.
“When I get involved in something, I put my all into it,” Sluberski said. “I would certainly do that in this position and try to listen to everyone and everyone’s opinion and try to keep an open mind in all situations.”
David Sluberski, chairman of the town’s Democratic Committee, said his wife’s service in the community makes up for her lack of political experience.
“With all her community involvement, with all her other groups, she has had contact with many, many people and parents especially” and “got a feel for the vibes” of the town, he said.
“A lot of other people saw what she did … and encouraged her from both parties,” he added.
She said her specific goals include pushing for a community center and developing businesses.
“Right now, in the town of Rush, there’s not a lot of huge political issues or anything going on,” she said, “but I would like to see the community center revisited.”
Rush doesn’t have adequate space for a gym that could hold dances, athletic events for youth, senior and Scouting activities, and it’s needed, she said.
Besides a community center, Sluberski said she would pursue some business growth for the town, while preserving green space.
“I’m really in favor of low-key kind of business growth,” she said. “I don’t want to see things like McDonald’s and strip malls like Jefferson Road (in Henrietta).”
She said she would like to see a high-tech industry come in, to help Rush “continue to grow as a community.”
The newest Town Board candidate and her husband hope her candidacy will entice others to serve publicly.
“The bottom line is, talking to both parties, not a lot of people want to get active,” David Sluberski said. “We’re trying to stay active as much as we can.”
And at the very least, a Democrat provides an alternative point of view, which is helpful to the Town Board, both Sluberskis said.
“Democracy works best when people have a choice of candidates,” Lisa Sluberski said. “I’m here to provide that alternate choice.”